Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Pubdate: Wed, 02 Apr 2003
Copyright: 2003 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195
Author: Eloise Aguiar
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Note: To read more about the "ice epidemic" in Hawaii, go to
http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Hawaii.

KAHALU'U SEEKS 'ICE' CLAMPDOWN

KAHALU'U -- Some 250 residents turned out last night to vent their
frustration over "ice" use in the community and to begin a search for
solutions to the problem.

The number of people attending the meeting underscored the concern in this
small, rural community that has witnessed a steady increase in the use of
ice, or crystal methamphetamine, among its residents, said Bob Nakata, who
heads KEY Project, one of sponsors of the meeting.

"The community is finally acknowledging the depth and breadth of this
problem," Nakata said. "They are coming out of denial."

"Breaking the Ice" was the second in a series of meetings called to find
solutions and comfort families that know the shame and isolation suffered
when a member is an ice user.

Another meeting is set for 7 p.m. May 8 at the KEY Project center in
Kahalu'u.

U.S. District Attorney Ed Kubo addressed the community and said he was
impressed with the number of people who attended and were willing to work
together to solve the problem. Kubo said his office will be a sounding board
for the community.

He told the people that to start out, they must report all drug activities
to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and that he would work with the DEA and
talk to police to step up enforcement.

"I promise you will see the faces of law enforcement agents out here," Kubo
said.

People at the meeting spoke about their problems.

Parents talked about being powerless when their children became users at age
15. Treatment in Hawai'i for young teens is practically nonexistent, some
said.

One woman said she took her daughter to the Mainland to attend a treatment
center and school where the girl has made dramatic improvement. Hawai'i
should offer that service, she said, and public schools shouldn't be
burdened with educating drug users.

Sharon Muraco, of Sunset Beach, said she couldn't afford that kind of
treatment that runs $5,000 to $6,000 a month. Muraco said she had to have
her son arrested several times before he finally was forced into a
four-month treatment, but she wondered what will happen after he gets out.

"There's no follow-up. Nothing," she said.

Keith Ryder, a pastor, said residents can start confronting the problem by
holding up signs along Kamehameha Highway with the message: "Zero
Tolerance."

Kahalu'u residents said they knew where dealers are selling drugs and who
the users are. They talked about youngsters hanging out at all hours of the
night and police not enforcing curfew laws.

Nikki Foster, 19, of Kahalu'u, said she would "kill" her younger siblings if
they used drugs but the problem is so pervasive that it's difficult to
avoid.

"It's not just the kids that are using," Foster said. "It's the aunties and
uncles; the older people."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk